Just an aside, but you could replace Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em with Follow The Leader. The former is undoubtedly Rakim's most impressive collection of rhymes, but FtL has much more 'importance' and significance within hip hop. His lyrics had improved even MORE since the previous album, and this was pretty much his debut as a true virtuoso lyricist...

Seriously, this list NEEDS In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel. Also, I would push for a Bright Eyes album. Just two modern overlooked phenomenal lyricists. And, as far as it goes, I would really respect a Modest Mouse album for his unique philosophical stream-of-conscious view on life's mysteries.

paul is right, from an aesthetic point of view Plant was obviously a pretty poor lyricist, but his style of just throwing a few really vague "nature" words together into some nonsensical pot to try and sound "mystical" without actually saying anything and just being general meaningless nonsense or making these really silly fantasy tales does seem to have had a big influence on prog and metal lyrics unfortunately.

I do love the imagery conveyed in Stairway though.And 'Thank You' is pretty good...

Stairway, Thank You, Going to California, Battle of Evermore, Kashmir, Black Dog, Achilles Last Stand. He's not that bad of a lyricist. And as you can see, most of his good lyrical songs come from "Led Zeppelin IV." I wouldn't consider it at a high rank but I would at least suggest it on this list.

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